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How to Get Wisdom from God
Some years ago, our family vacationed in Montana. One morning we drove over a short bridge with a sign that read “Missouri River”—which caused one of those “Wait a minute!” moments.
Our family had been to St. Louis, Missouri, and we had seen the impressive width of the Missouri River just before it empties into the mighty Mississippi. This river in Montana was minute when compared to what we had witnessed in St. Louis.
So Jim backed up our camper to make certain we hadn’t misread the sign. Sure enough, it was the beginnings of the Missouri River, and we were not very far from its source.
Where Does Wisdom Come From?
As we think about the nature of God, we need to remember this one important truth: Everything has a source—except God. God is the source of all things, including wisdom.
Wisdom from God comes in a variety of ways. While the Missouri River has one source, it has many tributaries that add to its size and power as it flows toward its destination. The same is true with God’s wisdom.
Four Ways to Gain Wisdom
1. You gain wisdom by walking with God. The foundation of wisdom is to know and recognize that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). As you honor and esteem God, live in awe of His presence and power, make the choices He advises in His Word, and love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, His wisdom becomes your wisdom.
2. You gain wisdom from reading God’s Word. Reading the Bible can make you wise. Hold it first in your heart and mind, and obey it. As you gain wisdom from God’s Word, it will make a powerful difference in you, in your life, and in your day.
3. You gain wisdom from being with God’s people. Going to church and worshipping God starts your week with a solid focus. As you fellowship with others, you realize they have wisdom to share with you. In Proverbs 1:5 we note, “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.” As a key principle in Proverbs 12:15 states, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.”
4. You can also gain wisdom through having godly mentors and teachers. Watch their lives. Ask them questions and read the wise advice of others through Christian books. In both cases, you are learning and growing as you seek the wisdom of other believers.
Wisdom is available and freely given—Proverbs 1 makes it abundantly clear that God wants His people to be wise and safe (Proverbs 1:2 and 1:33; Proverbs 3:13). In fact, God has made sure that wisdom is readily available to any and all. It is right in the Bible—your Bible—available to you day by day. As Proverbs 3:13 marvels, “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom.”
Dear Lord, please give me wisdom! I need it to manage this day in a way that pleases You and bears the mark of Your wisdom on it. Amen.
In ”50 Most Important Teachings of the Bible”, Jim George highlights key teachings every believer should know.
Do I ask wise people questions and read the wise advice of others through Christian books?
God wants His people to be wise.
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Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
How did men and women in the Bible accomplish great things for God? There wasn’t any secret formula or bestselling book on success for them. In fact, they were ordinary people like you and me. What made them effective was their willingness to obey God—one decision at a time.
